Improved invalid-bed and bedstead



heretoforeinvented.

sMiTH s. BROWN, or wooNsocKET, nHoDE ISLAND;

' Leners lPatent No. 87,463, camz March 2, 1869.

IMPROVED INVALID-BED AND BEDSTEAD.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making pari: `of thev :amai

Qro-Q I To all lwhom lit may coiwevn; i

Be it known that I, SMITH S. BROWN, of Woonsocket, in the county of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Bedsteads and Beds for Invalids, and others; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, andexact description of the construction and operation of the sameeference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l, ofthe drawings, is al representation of an end view of my bedstead, with the end-board removed and the mattress resting on the top ofthe bed-frame;

Figure 2 is a side view ofthe bedstead, with the frame n, and a section ofthe mattress supporting the Figure 3 is a side view', with .the bed-frame resting upon the mattress.

My invention relatest'o bedsteads especially intended forthe use of invalids; and

p It consists in constructing and combining, in a novel and eiiicient manner, a bedstead that shall be more perfect and useful for invalids than any similar device Letter A represents the base-plate, on which, the whole superstructure rests. It is directly under the centre of the bedstead, and is constructed of cast-iron.

The lower surface, which comes in contact with the floor, is perfectly dat, from which project four legs B, extending from the base-plate toward the four corners ofthe bedstead.

Also, attached to the base-plate are foursstandards, C, with rollers, a', for the semicircular arms D, upon which directly rests the framework of the bedstead.

- Said semicircular arms are perforated with small holes, b, to admita pin, c, suiiciently large to hold the bedstead in any position it is desiredto place it f or the comfort or convenience ofthe patient.

The pinsare attached to two levers, F and S, which are held in place by an arbor, d, running directly through each of the levers.

The levers are thrown into place by a spring, e, attached to the lever and base-standard. A

Letter E represents the wood frame, attached to the semicircular arms D, by means of hangers or bearings, h, in such manner as to allow the bed to turn upon these arms at the point of contact.

The semicircular arms D rest, at their base, upon rollers, a,- for the purpose of permitting the bed to be tipped sidewise or endwise,for the 4purpose of turning the patient over without hurting him, and without being compelled to lift him. The object attained by tipping endwise is to change the bearing oftheweight of the patientfromone part of his body to another.

Letters s represent the bed-bottorn, which is made of strong canvas, and which is attached .to the kbedframe by two rollers,- G, one at each end of the bed- Stead.' l

-'Ihe canvas is tightened or loosened by means of ratchet-wheel H, attached tothe rollers G, making a.'

iii-'rr and strong, yet elastic bottom for the mattress, doingaway with slats, springs, audrods.

Letters I represent the mattress, which is in three separate pieces, each piece complete in itself'. The object of having the mattress in three separate pieces is to allow of their being changed, thereby avoiding the inevitable result of having the mattress depressed inany part by the patient lying in one position in the bed, while mattresses long in use are always more or less depressed where the heavy part of the body comes in contact with the bed. This one prevents the occupant of the bed from forming a trough4 in which to lie. They are also more easily turned and handled than larger ones, and receive equal wear in all parts, and can be adjusted to any bed-frame.

Letter M represents a jointed frame, to which is atv.. tached a canvas elevator, resting upon the mattress.

One side ofthe elevator is enamelled, to prevent anything from injuring'the mattress; the canvas elevator being attached to the jointed frame, which, being fast-v cned at one end, allows the other end of the canvas to be raised or lowered, to suit the wants of the occupant. The whole canvas, upon which the patient is placed, is raised and lowered by means of two rollers, O, under the centre of the frame, worked by a wrench, and held by ratchet-gears m m', one of which slips past the other, to allow oneend ofthe bed to be raised at a time.

Letters t' represent cords, running from the rollers, over pulleys, k, to the four corners of the canvas, and there secured to the canvas by hooks, a.

In the centre ofthe canvas` is a hole, for the use of patients too weak and feeble. to leave 'the bed.

The canvas, upon which he lie's, can be raised, so as to admit of the bed-pan, and also to allow the mattress to be removed, aired, and turned, without disturbing the invalid.

At the centre head-post is a call-bell, o, which can be easily rung'by the-occupant.

To the canvas jointed frame is also attached, when required, a frame, fa,to be placed at any angle, for the purpose of raising the bed-clothes from the patient 0c# l injudiciously exposing himself.

A table, It, is also attached to the side of the bed, by means of a bracket, t, and pivot, kupon which the table turns, thus enabling the person to place the table in any position desired.

4The joints u, in the frame of the canvas elevator, will permitthe invalid to be raised to a sitting posture.

At the foot-post are attached hooks, z, which are for lthe purpose of holding straps, gr, for the patient to take ature in the room, and thereby prevent taking cold by hold of, to changehis position himself, without calling for assistance. Y

To the head orfoot centre-post is attached an arm, v, upon which is suspended frame, w, for mosquito- Letters c represent a sliding pin, in jointed frame M, resting in staples, as shown, and. removable at pleasure, or adjustable to the joints of said frame, which joints may be two or more iu number.

I sometimes prefer to plaee'the mattresses above the canvas elevator, and adjust the same, and the patient, in the manner shown on fig. 2 of drawings; but for lordinary use, -I prefer the method of adjustment hereiubefore specified, and shown on iig. 3, in which the canvas rests upon the mattress. j

What I claim', and desire to secure by Letters Patent, s

1. The base-plate A, legs B, standards O, rollers a, semeircular arms D, piu c, levers F and S, arbor d, spring e, and hangers h, .substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The bedframe E, bottom s, mattress I, ratchet scribed, table R, straps fr, hook z, and arm v, when speeiied. y

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name, in the lpresence of two witmesses.

SMITH S. BROWN. Witnesses: A

GEORGE A. WILBUB, ALBERT Ems.

H', jointed frame M, with its Acanvas elevator', as de.

constructed, arranged, and operating substantially asv 

